Modular processing line for printed products

ABSTRACT

A processing line for printed products 18 which comprises a number of component modules 10, 12, 14, 34, 36, 46 which are arranged directly one behind the other in the direction of processing V. The printed products are supplied to the line at sequential locations so that the products are processing and/or combined to form intermediate or end products which are delivered to a removal location. The printed products are conveyed along the processing line by a conveyor 20, 20′. The component modules can be separated from one another, and the conveyor is composed of conveying elements 98 which can be separated when the component modules are separated such that at least one conveying element remains in each of the component modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a processing line for printed products.

A processing line of this type is known, for example, from EP-A-0 346579 and the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,033. The processing line,which is suitable for the collection, collation and insertion of printedproducts, has a plurality of supply locations, which are arranged onebehind the other, as seen in the processing direction, and a removallocation, which is arranged downstream of said supply locations. Runningthrough the entire processing line, which is designed as a structuralunit, is a conveying chain which is driven in circulation in theprocessing direction and serves for transporting to the removal locationthe printed products supplied.

Said known apparatus has a certain number of supply locations. If thenumber of printed products which is to be combined is smaller than thenumber of supply locations, the supply locations which are not requiredare not supplied with printed products; the relevant section of theprocessing line remains inactive and serves solely for transporting theprinted products supplied upstream. It is not possible to combine anumber of different printed products which is greater than the number ofsupply locations.

The same applies to the processing line which is known from U.S. Pat.No. 1,441,278. This processing line has a rectilinear processing channelwhich is open at the top and along which feeders are arranged one behindthe other on both sides, a first feeder introducing a folded printedproduct into the processing channel and said printed product then beingopened in the processing channel. The next-following feeders thenintroduce further printed products into the open printed product. Theprinted products are transported in the processing channel by means ofan uninterrupted chain conveyor which extends over the entire length ofthe processing channel. The chain conveyor has transporting webs whichengage through the processing channel and are fastened at both ends onan endless chain in each case. The active strand of these chains isguided in the appropriate, processing-channel-forming side wall, and thereturn strand runs beneath the processing channel.

It is thus an object of the present invention to develop the processingline of the generic type such that it provides high flexibility fordifferent possible applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a processing line which has the features ofclaim 1.

The processing line according to the invention is of modularconstruction and, consequently, extremely flexible and can be adapted tothe respectively desired processing operation for the printed products.The component modules which are not necessary for carrying out a certainoperation can be removed from the processing line and are available as areserve component module or for temporary use in a further processingline. It is also possible, if further processing operations are desired,for corresponding component modules to be installed in the processingline. Adjacent component modules are compatible for connection to oneanother. It is advantageous for all the component modules to have thesame connection configuration on the inlet and outlet sides, althoughthis is not absolutely necessary. Component modules with the sameconnection configuration on both sides can be exchanged as desired andinserted between component modules of corresponding connectionconfiguration.

At least two of the component modules are assigned a continuous conveyorfor transporting the printed products. When these component modules areseparated, the conveyor may also be separated, with the result that asection of the conveyor remains in each of the component modules. Thisconveyor is functional when component modules with appropriate sectionsare attached to one another. The conveyor is realized in its entiretyonly when the appropriate component modules are assembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present subject matter of the invention, then, is described in moredetail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in thedrawing, in which, purely schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of a processing line accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a view of a second embodiment of the processing lineaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a view of a third embodiment of the processing lineaccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of a drive module for processinglines according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of a multipurpose module with aplug-on attachment;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of a removal module;

FIG. 7 shows a vertical longitudinal section of a multipurpose modulewith conveying elements for transporting printed products;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of a conveying element;

FIG. 9 shows the drive module, which is shown in FIG. 4, in section withconveying elements;

FIG. 10 shows, in perspective, part of the end view of a componentmodule with the guide-path sections and conveying elements in theforward strand and return strand;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective illustration of part of the multipurposemodule shown in FIG. 5, said module having a differently designedplug-on attachment; and

FIG. 12 shows, in a section along line XII—XII of FIG. 11, that part ofthe multipurpose module and of the plug-on attachment which is shown inFIG. 11, it being possible for said plug-on attachment to be insertedinto the conveying channel of the multipurpose module in the arrowdirection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The processing line which is shown in FIG. 1 has, directly one behindthe other in the processing direction V, a drive module 10, sixmultipurpose modules 12 and a removal module 14. Each of themultipurpose modules 12 is assigned a supply location 16, at whichprinted products 18 are supplied one after the other to the relevantmultipurpose module 12; the supply operation taking place, for example,by means of generally known transporters, feeders, feeder stations orother known supply means.

Extending continuously through all the multipurpose modules 12 from thedrive module 10 to the removal module 14 is a conveyor 20, which isintended for conveying in the processing direction V the printedproducts 18 which are supplied to the multipurpose modules 12. A driveunit 22, which is designed as an electric motor and is intended fordriving the conveyor 20, is arranged in the drive module 10. In theremoval module 14, the movement of the conveyor 20 is picked up and usedfor driving a conveying-protrusion chain 24 and a delivery belt 26,which is intended for supplying to a downstream processing station 28the printed products 18 which are processed in the processing line. Theconveying-protrusion chain 24 serves for transporting the printedproducts 18 from the conveyor 20 to the delivery belt 26, as isdescribed in more detail hereinbelow.

The multipurpose modules 12, which are of identical construction, form acontinuous conveying channel 30 which, in the case of the presentexample, runs rectilinearly in the processing direction V and is open atthe top. Plugged on to each multipurpose module is an attachment, whichwill be described at a later stage in the text, forms a processingchannel, which is arranged above the conveying channel 30, and isdesigned in accordance with the function which is to be fulfilled. Atthe supply locations 16, the printed products 18 are introduced into therelevant processing channel, appropriately processed, for example,opened, closed or tilted onto a certain side, and then supplied to theconveying channel 30. The printed products 18 are transported in theprocessing channel and in the conveying channel 30 by means of theconveyor 20.

As it is transported, a folded printed product 18 which is respectivelysupplied to the attachment of the first multipurpose module 12, as seenin the processing direction V, with the fold 18′in front is opened,transferred to the conveying channel 30 and conveyed to thenext-following, second multipurpose module 12. A further folded printedproduct 18, which is respectively supplied to the attachment of saidsecond multipurpose module 12 with the fold 18′ in front is likewiseopened and, upon transfer onto the conveying channel 30, comes to restin the previously opened printed product 18. These printed products 18inserted one inside the other are supplied to the third multipurposemodule 12. A printed product 18 which is supplied to the attachment ofthe third multipurpose module 12 is transferred to the conveying channel30 in an unopened state and inserted into the open printed products 18already located there. The three printed products 18 inserted one insidethe other are supplied to the fourth multipurpose module 12, where, inthe same manner as with the second multipurpose module 12, a furtherfolded printed product 18, which is opened in the attachment, is added.In the case of the two next-following multipurpose modules 12, in eachcase one further printed product 18 is inserted into said further foldedprinted product 18, as with the third multipurpose module 12. In theremoval module 14, the printed products 18 which have been combined toform finished or intermediate products 32 by insertion are closed andpositioned against a side wall of the conveying channel 30. Theconveying-protrusion chain 24 then transports to the delivery belt 26the finished or intermediate products 32 butting against said side wall.

Since all the multipurpose modules 12 are of identical design and theconveyor 20 is designed such that it can likewise be separated when twocomponent modules are separated, with the result that a section 33 ofthe conveyor 20 remains in each of these component modules, it ispossible for multipurpose modules 12 to be separated out of theprocessing line or for further multipurpose modules 12 to be inserted atthe desired location between two modules.

In the case of the processing line which is shown in FIG. 2, twomultipurpose modules 12 are arranged one behind the other downstream ofthe drive module 10. Said multipurpose modules are followed one afterthe other by a stitching module 34 and a cutting module 36. These arefollowed by a further multipurpose module 12 and a removal module 14. Aconveyor 20 designed in accordance with the conveyor shown in FIG. 1extends continuously from the drive module 10, through the twomultipurpose modules 12, into the stitching module 34. A furtherconveyor 20′ which is likewise of corresponding design, extends from thecutting module 36, through the multipurpose module 12 downstreamthereof, into the removal module 14. The drive power for the stitchingmodule 34 and cutting module 36 is taken off from the conveyor 20 in thestitching module 34. The drive for the conveyor 20′ is in the cuttingmodule 36 and also serves indirectly, in the same manner as with theprocessing line according to FIG. 1, for driving theconveying-protrusion chain 24 and the delivery belt 26 of the removalmodule 14.

The two multipurpose modules 12 which are arranged between the drivemodule 10 and the stitching module 34 have an attachment with asaddle-like rest 38 which extends in the longitudinal direction of theconveying channel 30 and is located above the latter. Each of thesemultipurpose modules 12 is assigned a supply location 16 for thesuccessive supply of folded printed products 18 with the open edge,which is located opposite the fold 18′, in front.

The stitching module 34 has a saddle-like conveying device 40 whichleads past a wire-stitching and/or unsewn-binding head 42 to thedownstream end of the stitching module 34. Said conveying device 40 isadjoined, in the cutting module 36, by a further conveying device 40′,which leads past a first cutting head 44 and a second cutting head 44′to the downstream end of the cutting module 36. The first cutting head44 is intended for trimming the leading and trailing edges, as seen inthe processing direction V, of the printed products 18 collected in themultipurpose modules 12, and the second cutting head 44′ is intended fortrimming the edge which is located opposite the fold 18. Themultipurpose module 12 which is arranged between the cutting module 36and the removal module 14 is assigned a further supply location 16, atwhich folded printed products 18 are supplied with the fold 18′ infront.

In the processing line which is shown in FIG. 2, the printed products 18are processed as follows. The printed product 18 which is deposited in astraddling manner on the saddle-like rest 38 in the first multipurposemodule 12 is supplied, by means of the conveyor 20, to the saddle-likerest 38 of the following multipurpose module 12, where a further printedproduct is deposited on this printed product 18 in a straddling manner.The printed products 18 collected in this way are supplied together, bymeans of the conveyor 20, to the stitching module 34, where they aresupplied to the saddles of the conveying device 40 from the saddle-likerest 38. The wire-stitching and/or unsewn-binding heads 42 stitch and/orbind the collected printed products 18, whereupon the stitched and/orbound printed products are transferred, by means of the conveying device40, to the further conveying device 40′ at the junction with the cuttingmodule 36. Said further conveying device 40′ conveys the stitched and/orbound printed products to the two cutting heads 44, 44′ and, ultimately,into the active region of the conveyor 20′, it being the case that theprinted products 18 immediately in front of the first cutting head 44,are rotated through 90° about their fold, running in the processingdirection, and, after the second cutting head 44′, are rotated throughanother 90° in the same direction of rotation, with the result that thefold 18′ is then located at the bottom. The end region of the cuttingmodule 36, the multipurpose module 12 and the removal module 14, inturn, form a conveying channel 30 which runs in the processing directionV, is open at the top and in which the stitched and/or bound and cutprinted products 18 are transported by means of the conveyor 20′. Theattachment of the multipurpose module 12 arranged downstream of thecutting module 36 has an opening device for the printed products 18conveyed in the conveying channel 30, with the result that, at thesupply location 16 assigned to said multipurpose module 12, a furtherprinted product 18 can be inserted into the stitched and/or bound andcut printed products. In the same manner as with the processing linewhich is shown in FIG. 1, the finished or intermediate products 32formed in this way are supplied to the further-processing station 28.

It goes without saying that further multipurpose modules 12 may beinserted between the drive module 10 and the saddle-stitching module 34and between the cutting module 36 and removal module 14.

The processing line according to FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG.2. An essential difference resides in the design of the stitchingmodule, which in this case is designed as a flat-stitching module 46with a cover-sheet supply 48. As seen in the processing direction V, thedrive module 10 is followed by a multipurpose module 12 (or else by aplurality of multipurpose modules 12), a conveyor 20 extendingcontinuously from the drive module 10, through the multipurpose module12, into the flat-stitching module 46. The multipurpose module 12 islikewise equipped with an attachment having a saddle-like rest 38 onwhich, at the associated supply location 16, printed products 18comprising a plurality of folded sheets are deposited one after theother in a straddling manner.

The flat-stitching module 46 likewise has a conveying device 40, whichis of saddle-like design and leads past a flat-stitching head 46′ to thedownstream cutting module 36. The conveying device 40 is intended forrotating, between the conveyor 20 and the flat-stitching head 46′, thestraddling printed product 18 about its fold 18′ running in theprocessing direction V, for example by means of a rail or of asupporting plate. The cover-sheet supply 48 draws off a cover sheet ineach case, for example, from a supply stack 50 and conveys it beneaththe rotated printed product 18. The flat-stitching head 46′, which maybe designed for wire stitching or unsewn binding, stitches or bindstogether said cover sheet and the sheets of the printed product 18. Thestitched or bound products are then supplied to the further conveyingdevice 40′ of the cutting module 36, where, as has been described abovein conjunction with FIG. 2, the stitched or bound products are trimmedand finished off.

It is also the case with the processing line which is shown in FIG. 3that, depending on requirements, it is possible for multipurpose modules12 to be removed or for further multipurpose modules to be added.

Of course, it is conceivable to insert differently constructed modulesrather than the saddle-stitching, cutting and flat-stitching modules 34,36, 46 shown. All that is required is for these differently constructedmodules to have an end-side connection configuration which is compatiblewith the adjacent component modules.

It is thus conceivable for the desired multipurpose modules 12 to beseparated out of the processing line which is shown in FIG. 1, for, forexample, stitching or cutting modules 34, 36, 46 to be inserted at thedesired location and for all the modules to be pushed together again,with the result that they butt directly against one another and arefunctional again.

It should also be noted that the conveying devices 40, 40′ may bedesigned in a manner similar to the conveyors 20, 20′ such that theyextend continuously, wholly or in part, through at least these twocomponent modules.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the drive module 10 has a box-like modulehousing 54 which is arranged on running rollers 52 and is open on oneend side 56. It is possible to attach a further module to said end side56. Standing on the base 54′ of the module housing 54 are two parallelguide plates 58 which, on the mutually facing sides, are each providedwith a top guide groove 60 and a bottom guide groove 60′. The top andbottom guide grooves 60, 60′ are connected to one another via coaxialconnecting grooves (not shown) running along an arc of a circle. Locatedcentrally between the two guide plates 58 is a drive wheel 62 which ismounted rotatably on said guide plates, is arranged coaxially with theconnecting grooves, is designed as a chain wheel and is connected, via achain drive 64 (see FIG. 9), to the drive unit 22, which is likewisearranged in the interior of the module housing 54. Indicated bychain-dotted lines at the corners of the end side 56 aresystem-connection elements 66 which serve for fastening an adjacentmodule in a releasable manner.

FIG. 5 shows a multipurpose module 12. It has a module housing 68 whichis open at the two end sides 56, as seen in the processing direction V,and of which the cross-sectional dimensions correspond to thecross-sectional dimensions of the housing 54 of the drive module 10. Thehousing base 68′ is likewise supported on the ground via running rollers52. Fastened on the housing base 68′, at intervals in the processingdirection V, are transverse supports 70, from which pairs of verticalsupports 72 project. Resting on the transverse supports 70 are twobottom guide profiles 74, which extend over the entire length of themultipurpose module 12 and are fastened on the vertical supports 72 byway of their mutually remote sides. Running parallel to the bottom guideprofiles 74 are top guide profiles 76, which are likewise fastened onthe vertical supports 72 and extend over the entire length of themultipurpose module 12. The bottom guide profiles 74 and top guideprofiles 76 are provided, on the mutually facing sides, with rectilinearguide grooves 78 which, when the multipurpose module 12 is attached tothe drive module 10, are aligned with the bottom guide grooves 60′ andtop guide grooves 60 and form a continuous guide therewith.

Parallel side walls project in the upward direction from the housingbase 68′, and longitudinally running, strip-like coverings 82 arearranged at the top end of said side walls and are directed toward oneanother. The mutually facing ends of the coverings 82 are adjoined bychannel walls 84, which run downward and obliquely toward one another.The channel walls 84 are angled at the bottom and fastened on the topguide profiles 76. The channel walls 84 form the side walls of theconveying channel 30 passing through the entire multipurpose module 12.

The coverings 82 are each provided with a row of holes 86. Theattachments 88 mentioned in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 3, may bepositioned on the covering 82, said attachments, for fixing purposes,engaging in holes of the rows of holes 86 by way of downwardlyprojecting stubs (see also FIG. 12).

The attachment 88 forms a processing channel 90, which is arranged abovethe conveying channel 30 and is aligned therewith, and runs in theprocessing direction V.

66, in turn, designates system-connection elements in order to fastenthe multipurpose module 12 on, and connect it to, other modules.

It is preferable for the module housing 68, comprising the housing base68′, the two side walls 80, the covering 82 and the channel walls 84, toconsist of bent sheet metal which is preferably perforated in the regionof the side walls 80. The side walls 80 are provided with doors 92 inorder, on the one hand, to allow access into the interior of the modulehousing 68, and on the hand, to store attachments 88, or components ofattachments, therein.

The removal module 14, which is shown in FIG. 6, has a module housing 94which is open on both end sides and has a housing base 94′, supported onrunning rollers 52, and also has side walls 80′, lateral coverings 82′and channel walls 84′. The left-hand channel wall 84′, as seen in theprocessing direction, is twisted, with the result that it passes fromits inlet-side slope, which corresponds to that of the correspondingchannel wall 84′ of multipurpose modules 12, into an at leastapproximately horizontal position. Said channel wall 84′ has a slot-likethrough-passage which runs more or less in the processing direction Vand through which conveying protrusions 24′ of the conveying-protrusionchain 24, which has been mentioned in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 3,project into the conveying channel 30 in order to feed to the deliverybelt 26, adjoining the channel wall 84′, the finished or intermediateproducts 32 butting flatly against the channel wall 80′. The deliverybelt 26 can be pivoted in the direction of the double arrow in order forit to be possible to adjust its free end in accordance with the inlet ofthe processing station 28.

A guide plate 96, which is bent in an S-shape as seen in plan view, runsaway from the right-hand channel wall 84′, as seen in the processingdirection V, and this guide plate is intended to bring into abutmentagainst the opposite channel wall 84′ printed products 18 which buttagainst it, in order for it to be possible to convey the printedproducts further by means of the conveying-protrusion chain 24 and toclose open printed products.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the removalmodule 14 has guide plates 58, which are arranged in a mating manner inrelation to the drive module 10 and have top guide grooves 60 and bottomguide grooves 60′ and a connecting groove, which runs along a circle-arcsegment, and a chain wheel, which is arranged between the guide plates58 and is connected to the conveying-protrusion chain 24 and thedelivery belt 26. It is likewise the case that these modules areconnected via the system-connection elements 66.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the saddle-stitching module 34 andthe flat-stitching module 46 likewise have, on the inlet side, parallelguide plates, which are arranged in a mating manner in relation to thedrive module 10 and have a top guide groove and a bottom guide groovewhich are connected by way of a circle-arc-shaped connecting groove, anda chain wheel, which is arranged between the guide plates, is mountedthereon and is connected to the conveying device 40 and the stitchingheads 42, 46′ for driving the same. The cutting modules 36 likewisehave, on the outlet side, guide plates with top and bottom guide groovesand a circle-segment-like connecting groove, which are arranged in samemanner as in the drive module 10. A chain wheel, which is arrangedbetween the guide plates and is mounted thereon, is connected to theconveying devices 40′ in order to drive the conveyor 20′.

The conveyors 20, 20′ have a multiplicity of conveying elements 98arranged one behind the other, as are shown in FIGS. 7 to 10. Eachconveying element 98 comprises a number of, preferably ten, slidingbodies 100, which are arranged one behind the other on the links of achain 102 (which is not uninterrupted) . The essentially cuboidalsliding bodies 100 have, on the side which is directed away from thechain 102, a continuous V-like or U-like recess 104, as seen in thelongitudinal direction of the chain 102, and guide beads 106 whichproject laterally on the outer side surfaces and run in the longitudinaldirection of the chain 102. The guide elements are arranged between theguide plates 68 and guide profiles 74, 76, the guide beads 106 engagingin the guide grooves 60, 60′, 78. Said guide grooves form anuninterrupted guide for the conveying elements 98. The overall length ofsaid guides and the number of conveying elements 98 of the same designare coordinated with one another such that the conveying elements 98form a continuous, i.e. uninterrupted, row.

The length of the modules, as measured in the processing direction V,with continuous guide grooves, in the present case the multipurposemodules 12, is a whole-numbered multiple of the length L of theconveying elements 98. As can be seen from FIG. 7, for example themultipurpose module 12 is double the length of a conveying element 98.Likewise, the overall groove length in each of the modules, in whichdeflection takes place from one strand to the other, is coordinated suchthat, in turn, a whole number of conveying elements 98 are accommodatedin the region of the relevant module, in the drive module 10 in theexamples shown, in the removal module 14, in the stitching modules 34,46 and in the cutting module 36.

If, before a module is separated out, the conveying elements 98 areplaced such that the separation between two conveying elements 98 isaligned with the end side 56 of the modules, it is possible for themodules to be separated from one another, the relevant number ofconveying elements 98 remaining in the guide grooves in each module.Each module thus has a number of conveying elements 98 assigned to it,with the result that the attachment of modules always forms a continuousrow of conveying elements 98. The guide section which belongs to amodule and has the conveying elements 98 arranged in the guide forms asection 33 of the conveyor 20 or 20′.

FIG. 10 shows the top and bottom guide profiles 74, 76 of a separatedmultipurpose module 12 with conveying elements 98, arranged therein, inthe region adjacent to an end side 56. It is conceivable for the guideprofiles 74, 76 to terminate in a state in which they are set backslightly in relation to the end-side plane of the module. The amount bywhich they are offset, however, is smaller than half the length of asliding body 100.

The conveying elements 98, located in the region of the conveyingchannel 30 in each case, form the base of the conveying channel 30, thelateral surfaces of the recess 104 being aligned with the channel walls84 and 84′. Projecting from the second sliding body 100 from the back,as seen in the processing direction V, in each case, on the side whichis directed away from the chain 102, is a carry-along element 108 with afirst extension arm 110 and with a second extension arm 110′, which isarranged between the first extension arm and the sliding body 100 and isoffset to the rear in relation to the latter.

FIG. 7 shows, by chain-dotted lines, printed products 18 which arelocated in the conveying channel 30 and thus butt against the conveyingelements 98 as well as printed products 18 which are arranged, abovesaid conveying elements, in the processing channel 90, which is formedby attachments 88 arranged directly one behind the other. The extensionarms 110, which project into the processing channel 90, act on thetrailing edge, as seen in the processing direction, of the correspondingprinted products in order to transport the same in the processingdirection V, whereas the second extension arms 110′ act correspondinglyon the printed products 18 located in the conveying channel 30.

If an attachment 88 is not followed by any other attachment 88, as seenin the processing direction V, or if two successive attachments 88 formbetween them a gap which is at least approximately as long as theprinted products 18 which are to be processed, printed products 18 whichare located in the processing channel 90 are supplied to the bottomconveying channel 30 as they are conveyed out of the relevant attachment88. In order to compensate for the displacement, seen in the processingdirection V, caused by the tilting of the printed product 18, theextension arms 110, 110′ are arranged in an offset manner, with theresult that in each case the printed product 18 which is to be suppliedto the conveying channel 30 is aligned in the conveying direction withthe printed product 18 which is already located in the conveying channel30. The arrangement of attachments 88 thus determines where, in thecourse of the processing operation, a printed product 18 is suppliedfrom the processing channel 90 to the conveying channel 30.

The conveying elements 98 are driven by means of the drive wheel 62,which is designed as a chain wheel and meshes with the chain 102 of theconveying elements 98. The drive power is transmitted from the conveyingelement 98 located in the region of the drive wheel 62 to the conveyingelements 98 located outside the region of the drive wheel 62 exclusivelyby pushing contact, in that the individual conveying elements 98 buttagainst one another on the end sides. The operations for driving theconveying elements 98 of the conveyors 20′ and of picking up themovement of the conveying elements 98 by means of chain wheels in theregion of the downstream ends of the conveyors 20 and 20′ take place inthe same manner.

The attachments 88 may be designed differently. Thus, for example, theattachment 88′ shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is provided, in particular, forarranging in the region of the supply locations 16. In an introductionregion 112, of which the length, as measured in the processing directionV, is greater than the extent, measured in the same direction, of theprinted products 18 which are to be processed, the processing channel 90has a V-shaped cross section. In an end region 114, which is downstreamin relation to the introduction region 112, the cross section of theprocessing channel 90 corresponds to a narrow U and in a transitionregion 116, which is located between the introduction region 112 and endregion 114, the cross section of the processing channel 90 changescontinuously from the cross section of the introduction region 112 tothe cross section of the end region 114. The processing channel 90 isformed on the right-hand side, as seen in the processing direction V, bya right-hand processing-channel-wall element 118 which is produced fromsheet metal, is bent in a duct-like manner at its bottom end region inorder to form the base of the processing channel 90, and has a laterallyprojecting supporting lug 120 on its top side. On the left-hand side,the processing channel 90 is formed by a left-handprocessing-channel-wall element 118′, which is likewise produced fromsheet metal and is aligned with the duct-like end of the right-handprocessing-channel-wall element 118, but terminates at a distancetherefrom in order to form, therewith, a slot-like opening 112 which iscontinuous in the processing direction V. At the top end region, theleft-hand processing-channel-wall element 118′ likewise has an outwardlydirected supporting lug 120. The supporting lugs 120 of the twoprocessing-channel-wall elements 118 and 118′ are fastened on atransverse support 124 in each case at the start and at the end of theattachment 88′ and, on their bottom side, have stubs 126 which areintended to engage in holes belonging to the rows of holes 86 when theattachment 88′ is fitted onto the multipurpose module 12. It goeswithout saying that the distance between the transverse supports 124 isgreater than the length, as measured in the processing direction V, ofthe printed products 18 which are to be processed, with the result thatthe latter can be introduced, between the transverse supports 124, intothe processing channel 90, and that the distance between the transversesupports 124 and the base of the processing channel 90 is selected suchthat the printed products 18 which are to be processed can be conveyedthrough therebetween.

FIG. 11 shows the attachment 88′ positioned on a multipurpose module 12.The processing channel 90 is located above the conveying channel 30 ofthe multipurpose module 12, is aligned therewith and runs in theprocessing direction V. It is then possible for the extension arms 110(see FIGS. 7 and 8) to engage, through the opening 122, into theprocessing channel 90 in order to transport the printed products 18arranged therein. In FIG. 12, solid lines indicate the attachment 88′before it is placed in position and chain-dotted lines indicate theattachment once it has been placed in position.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the attachment88′, which is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, may be followed by a furtherattachment having, for example, an opening element in order to open theprinted products 18 which are supplied to the attachment 88′. Theattachment arranged downstream of the attachment 88′ could also have adirecting element in order to position against a side wall of theprocessing channel 90 the printed products which are supplied to theattachment 88′, with the result that printed products supplied at afurther supply location come to rest alongside the printed product 18positioned against a wall. It goes without saying that, by virtue ofdifferent constructions of attachments and the arrangement thereof inthe conveying channel 30, it is possible to provide extremelystraightforward adaptation of the processing line to the desired type ofprocessing. For example, it is possible to design attachments inaccordance with the processing regions, as are disclosed in the earlierPCT Patent Application published under No. W098/35901, and correspondingU.S. pending application Ser. No. 09/367,465.

It is also conceivable for the conveyors 20, 20′ to be replaced by wormconveyors, it being the case that each of the relevant modules isfixedly assigned a section of the conveying worm, or for the conveyors20, 20′ to be designed in accordance with the embodiment disclosed inEP-A-0 458 733 and in the corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,277, each ofthe relevant modules being assigned a section of the conveyor.

It is also possible to equip the conveyors 20, 20′ not with slidingbodies 100 but with rolling bodies arranged in a guide, as aredisclosed, for example, in EP-A-0 387 318 and in the corresponding U.S.Pat. No. 5,074,678 or in the CH Patent Application No. 1997 0221/97. Itis also possible for the rolling bodies or sliding bodies 100, whichform pressure-exerting bodies, to be arranged loosely in the guide, i.e.such that they are not connected to one another. In this case, the drivewheel acts directly on the pressure-exerting body. As far as thepressure-exerting bodies and the interaction between the drive wheel andpressure-exerting body are concerned, you are referred to CH PatentApplication No. 1996 02338/96 as well.

If the sliding or rolling bodies are not connected to one another,separation of the corresponding modules is possible in each case betweenany two successive sliding or rolling bodies desired. However,separation should always take place between appropriate sliding-body orrolling-body pairs.

It should also be pointed out that, rather than having to form the baseof the conveying channel, the conveying elements, as carry-alongelements or clamps, may just ensure the advancement of the printedproducts.

It goes without saying that, by virtue of suitable configuration of theside walls 80′ and of the associated guide profiles 74, 76, it is alsopossible to use bent multipurpose modules 12. This allows freeconfiguration of the processing route, if need be this may also beendless without a return strand. Of course, it is also possible for theconnections for power, control and data transmission to be separated ina modular manner.

What is claimed is:
 1. A processing line for printed products, having asupply location at which printed products are supplied to the processingline, having at least one further supply location which is arrangeddownstream of the supply location in the processing direction and isintended for further printed products which are combined in theprocessing line with printed products which have already been supplied,and at least one processing station for the printed products, a removallocation at which the printed products which have been processed andcombined to form an intermediate product or end product are guided awayfrom the processing line, and having conveying means for transportingthe printed products through the processing line to the removallocation, wherein the processing line comprises a number of componentmodules which can be separated from one another and are arrangeddirectly one behind the other as seen in the processing direction, and aconveyor which is driven by a drive unit and extends continuously,wholly or in part, through at least two of the component modules and canbe separated when said component modules are separated, with the resultthat a section of the conveyor remains in each of these componentmodules.
 2. The processing line as claimed in claim 1, wherein theconveyor has conveying elements which are arranged one behind the other,and, in the event of separation, at least one conveying element remainsin each of the component modules.
 3. The processing line as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the conveying elements are separate from one anotherand driven in circulation in the processing direction, and wherein thedrive power is transmitted from one conveying element to the next bypushing contact.
 4. The processing line as claimed in claim 2, whereinall the conveying elements are of the same length as measured in theprocessing direction, and are guided in a guide path which isuninterrupted when the component modules are arranged one against theother, and the lengths of the sections of the conveying path which areassigned to the component modules correspond to a whole-numberedmultiple of the length of one conveying element.
 5. The processing lineas claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two successive component modulesform a continuous conveying channel which is open at the top and inwhich the printed products supplied to the same are transported by meansof the conveyor, and above the conveying channel a processing-channelelement which is aligned with said conveying channel and extends in theprocessing direction is arranged in a removable manner on the associatedcomponent module in which conveying elements of the conveyor engage inorder to transport printed products supplied to the processing-channelelement.
 6. The processing line as claimed in claim 5, wherein twoprocessing-channel elements adjoin one another, as seen in theprocessing direction, and form a continuous processing channel.
 7. Theprocessing line as claimed in claim 5, wherein two processing-channelelements following one another in the processing direction leave freebetween them a through-passage which is open at the bottom and servesfor transferring into the bottom conveying channel the printed productwhich passes out of the upstream processing-channel element.
 8. Theprocessing line as claimed in claim 1, wherein a component moduledesigned as a drive module has the drive unit and a section of theconveyor and wherein preferably all the further component modules arearranged downstream of the drive module, as seen in the processingdirection.
 9. The processing line as claimed in claim 1, wherein adownstream end section of the conveyor, as seen in the processingdirection, is arranged in an initial region of a component module whichhas a conveying device which is arranged downstream of the conveyor andis intended for transporting further the printed products which aresupplied by means of the conveyor.
 10. The processing line as claimed inclaim 1, wherein an upstream end section of the conveyor, as seen in theprocessing direction, is arranged in an end region of a componentmodule, which has a conveying device which is arranged upstream of theconveyor.
 11. A processing line for printed products, having a supplylocation at which printed products are supplied to the processing line,having at least one further supply location which is arranged downstreamof the supply location in the processing direction and is intended forfurther printed products which are combined in the processing line withprinted products which have already been supplied, and a removallocation at which the printed products which have been combined to forman intermediate product or end product are guided away from theprocessing line, and having conveying means for transporting the printedproducts through the processing line to the removal location, whereinthe processing line comprises a number of component modules which can beseparated from one another and are arranged directly one behind theother as seen in the processing direction, and a conveyor which isdriven by a drive unit and extends continuously, wholly or in part,through at least two of the component modules and can be separated whensaid component modules are separated, with the result that a section ofthe conveyor remains in each of these component modules.
 12. Aprocessing line for printed products, having a supply location at whichprinted products are supplied to the processing line, having at leastone processing station for the printed products, a removal location atwhich the printed products which have been processed are guided awayfrom the processing line, and having conveying means for transportingthe printed products through the processing line to the removallocation, wherein the processing line comprises a number of componentmodules which can be separated from one another and are arrangeddirectly one behind the other as seen in the processing direction, and aconveyor which is driven by a drive unit and extends continuously,wholly or in part, through at least two of the component modules and canbe separated when said component modules are separated, with the resultthat a section of the conveyor remains in each of these componentmodules.